Chapter 38
thirty-eight
. . .
Mason
After dropping our bags off in the room, we grab a quick lunch and head straight to Central Park to see whether Wollman Rink lives up to the hype (Violet claimed the Frog Pond in Boston was better, I agreed to disagree). Violet skates laps around me like a pro the entire time. Meanwhile I tried my best not to have a heart attack every time I think she is going to fall.
Afterward we mercifully dodge a double date with Monroe and her heinous boyfriend. Instead, we meet Monroe at her fancy office, where she catches Violet up on the drama surrounding one of her clients.
“Wait. Wait. So, you’re telling me her husband cheats on her on national television, and the network threatens to fire her instead of him?” Violet exasperates .
“She was deemed a liability for not being able to ‘handle her emotions’ while working.” Monroe rolls her eyes.
“Welp, we can check the box that reads ‘sexism.’ Also didn’t this happen like years ago? Why are people still bringing it up?”
“Because she’s finally coming back into the limelight to host another reality TV dating show. After her divorce, she wanted to lay low for a while and shifted to producing. Now that she’s decided to show her face again, the claws have come out.” Monroe bites her lip. “I’m really worried the press is going to scare her away from this job. For her sake, she really needs to take it. You can only hide from your problems for so long until they come back to bite you in the ass.” Monroe’s office phone rings seconds later drawing a groan. “Speaking of avoiding your problems…it’s my boss.”
I tuck the crumpled piece of paper into the pocket of my coat after giving it one last read through. I never get anxious with public speaking, mainly because post-game interviews were low stakes. But this was different. Connor deserved so much for all he’d done, and the least I could do was deliver a speech that spoke to his character and had minimal fuckups. This is ultimately what led me to re-read my speech for the hundredth time this week while Violet finished getting ready. Maybe I should have a beer before I get up on stage. Only one. Enough to dampen some of the nerves, without turning me into a complete mess.
“You’re going to do great, Mason. Connor wouldn’t have asked you to do this if he didn’t think you could handle it.” Violet’s voice comes from the bathroom.
I’m cracking open a beer from the fridge as Violet steps out of the bathroom. The strapless, silk floor-length red dress clings to her body like a second skin, with a slit on the side that exposes her leg .
“Maybe you’ll give me a heart attack before I even make it downstairs.”
“I guess I don’t have to ask you what you think about my dress.”
“I think it’s an absolute crime that I’m not going to be able to touch you the way that I want to for the next three hours, Angel.” I walk over to her, bringing her into my arms. I trail a faint line of kisses down her neck and onto her shoulder and marvel at the goosebumps that form on her skin.
“I’m not opposed to leaving early.” Violet’s eyes show a sly glint. “But only after you’re done with your speech, and we get to congratulate Connor.”
“You drive a hard bargain, but I accept your terms. Let’s get going.” I take her hand into mine as we head toward the elevator.
I booked our room at the same hotel the Rangers’ gala was being held (just in case we needed to make an emergency exit). We make it halfway up to the conference hall when the elevator dings and in enters Rowan with his wife. A smile lights up on the face of my former captain as he clamps a hand down on my shoulder. “Well look what the cat dragged in. It’s good to see you, Mason.”
Of all my former teammates I could’ve run into first, I’m glad it’s him. Rowan was always the rock for the younger members of the team, and he took his leadership role very seriously on and off the ice.
“You too, man. You look good. A little old though. Is that gray I see?” I tease, pointing at a few streaks in his hair.
Rowan rolls his eyes, my comment bringing a small laugh from his wife, Tanya.
“I aged 10 years after being your captain,” He deadpans.
“I missed you too, big guy.” I really had. The nerves I felt about running into my former teammates had dissipated just by seeing Rowan. That and the woman who hadn’t let go of my hand since we walked out of our room. We step out of the elevator into the area outside of the conference hall.
“So, are you going to introduce this lovely lady at your side, or do you plan on just keeping her hidden away from us for the rest of the night?” Rowan asks.
“I’m Violet. Mason’s girlfriend.”
Pride fills my chest at Violet’s words. I’m not sure I would ever get over the feeling of her saying she’s mine.
Recognition flashes over Tanya’s eyes. “We met a few years ago, didn’t we? In Chicago?” I feel Violet tense at my side as she nods. Tanya lets out a small squeal before turning her attention to her husband. “I told you. I told you they were endgame, didn’t I? I’m never wrong.”
“It seems like everyone else in our lives knew it was coming before we did.” Violet shakes her head.
“Nah, we knew too. We were just too stubborn to admit it. At least we got there eventually.” I place a kiss on her temple before directing my attention back to Rowan. “I heard you guys are killing it this season.”
“Hopefully it continues that way into the playoffs. Gotta make my last season count.” Rowan pauses waiting for my reaction.
“You’re retiring?”
“You can’t be surprised. You were the one chirping at me a few minutes ago about how old I was looking.”
“You’re actually serious?” Sure, thirty-four was on the older end of NHL players, but Rowan’s never had a major injury.
“Tanya and I had a long conversation about it, and I realized it’s my time. Plus, I don’t want to miss a second of my daughter’s life, so it all made sense.” Rowan rests his hand on Tanya’s stomach, and I finally notice the small bump.
“Holy shit, you’re gonna be a dad? That’s amazing.” I give Tanya a small hug and pat Rowan on the back. He’d always talked to us about how much he wanted to be a dad and now he finally got his wish .
Rowan is beaming at his wife. “Thanks man. We’re both really excited about it. I’m sure retirement will be an adjustment though. Got any pointers for me?”
“I never thought that anything would compare to the thrill of being out there on the ice, but I’ve been coaching at my alma mater recently and it’s been really re—” I’m cut off by the one person I had dreaded seeing the most.
“That’s incredibly noble of you Mason.” Kallum’s voice is dripping in sarcasm.
What a fucking dick . You would think after years of not playing on the same team he would’ve finally gotten over our one-sided rivalry. I guess not everyone changes with time. “Kallum. Nice seeing you again.”
“You too. Though I can’t lie, I am a bit surprised to see you here at the Rangers gala...” He trails off, meaning to imply something like, ‘ Wild seeing you here since you’re not on the team anymore.’
“Connor asked if I could make a speech for his philanthropy award.” I shrug.
“Speaking of which, we should probably head in and see if we can try to track him down,” Violet speaks up, likely feeling as repulsed by this man as I am. “Nice seeing you again Tanya. Rowan.”